前三季度超两千家离场，保险机构“悔棋”背后的考量

Core Insights - The insurance industry is undergoing significant restructuring, with a notable increase in the number of branch closures and market exits by insurance intermediaries in the first three quarters of the year [1][3][4] Summary by Sections Branch Closures - In the first three quarters of the year, insurance companies closed 2,436 branches, marking a year-on-year increase of 21.07%. Only 268 new branches were established, resulting in a net decrease of nearly 2,000 branches [1][3] - The closures are primarily concentrated in life insurance companies, particularly in county-level areas and third to fourth-tier cities [4] Market Exits - A total of 163 insurance intermediary institutions exited the market, including 18 insurance agencies and 3 insurance brokerage firms. This number exceeds the total exits from previous years [4][5] - The trend of declining insurance intermediaries has been ongoing for six consecutive years, with the total number dropping to 2,539 by the end of 2024, a decrease of 27 from 2023 [6] Factors Driving Changes - The primary drivers for the closures and exits include the need for cost reduction and efficiency, the rise of digital technology, and regulatory guidance aimed at eliminating inefficient institutions [7][8] - The average operational cost for branches exceeds one million annually, making it difficult for those in lower-tier cities to remain viable [8] Future Outlook - The future layout of insurance institutions is expected to shift towards a combination of functional offline services and intelligent online operations, focusing on specialized scenarios such as experience centers and elder care [10] - The industry is anticipated to prioritize digitalization and refined operations, moving away from geographical coverage to value coverage, emphasizing technology investment and professional agent capabilities [10]